July in Review

This is a bit of an overview of the books I’ve reviewed throughout July (and as I only started my blog in the last week of June, I’ll tag that on to this too!).

Blog wise, I’m absolutely loving the book community. Everyone has been so lovely, so welcoming and I really feel ‘at home’. I’ve started writing too, which I’m really enjoying – I feel like I’m learning so much from the writers I’m talking to, from the books and reviews I’m both writing and reading and from the industry itself. Long may this steep learning curve continue!

Here are the books that I’ve reviewed – to access the full review, just click on the title.

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland

My first ever book review! Set in Australia, the book follows the life of Alice Hart, following a tragic event, she goes to live with her long-lost grandmother on a flower farm where she learns the language of flowers, enabling her to speak through them to say things she cannot. The novel follows Alice through to adulthood where secrets and betrayal follow her and the language of flowers are no longer enough.

There isn’t much to say except I fell in love with this novel and I cannot rave about it enough!

Angels Can’t Swim by Alexandra McCann

After being contacted by the author (having just started out, I was amazed that I was being contacted so early on!) I agreed to review this novella.  A coming of age story based around three young women, it is set against the backdrop of a college swim team. It focuses on mental health and pushes a strong message that issues need to be talked about.

I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this novella!

Tales from the Warming by Lorin R. Robinson

This was my first foray into the climate fiction genre, and I enjoyed it. A collection of 10 short stories set in different years and in different areas of the world, they focus on the worsening effects of global warming. The author is clearly very knowledgeable and I found the stories to be so relevant to the world we live in today, as well as frighteningly thought-provoking at what the future could bring both within our lifetime and for future generations.

The Love Letter by Lucinda Riley

I’m a huge fan of mystery thrillers, and this was no different. It follows young journalist Joanna Haslam as she tries to unravel the secrets of the recently passed actor, Sir James Harrison. Her investigations attract attention and she soon finds that some will stop at nothing to keep his secrets hidden.

Immensely enjoyable!

Little Liar by Lisa Ballantyne

Sneaking in by the skin of its teeth is this he said/she said novel. Focusing on the far reaching impact of a sexual assault allegation made by a young school girl towards her drama teacher, this novel centres upon a highly sensitive subject and looks upon it from different vantage points, as well as taking a look at what really constitutes innocence and guilt. An emotional and provocative read.

And that’s it!

I’m pretty impressed with how many books I manged to get through in July….although I’m finding that the school summer holidays and the warm weather are seriously hampering my reading time for August!! I’m desperate for a traditional British rainy day, where we can cuddle together on the sofa, my son with a DVD, and me with a good book! My TBR pile is packed with novels with the most incredible sounding synopses, and I’m just chomping at the bit to get to them!!

Emma x